India vs New Zealand: Will Pant return to playing XI for final T20 WC warm-up fixture?

India defeated Australia by six runs in ir warm-up match ahe of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 on October 17. India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was one of table omissions from India’s squ in match as Dinesh Karthik donned wicket-keeping gloves. Heing into India’s warm-up match against New Zealand, Rishabh Pant’s inclusion in playing XI is one of biggest talking points for India.

Pant played as an opener for India in team’s warm-fixtures against Western Australia earlier this month and returned with dismal performances. In first game against Western Australia, Pant scored 9 runs off 16 balls and followed it up with a kck of 9 runs in 11 balls in second game. Captain Rohit Sharma might give Rishabh Pant a chance to revive his batting form before India kick off its Super 12 campaign against Pakistan on October 23. 

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022: Has Rishabh Pant suffered an injury?

While Karthik was third-highest run scorer for India against Australia on Monday with a kck of 20 runs off 14 balls, Rishabh might handle wicketkeeping duties on Wednesday. However, a recent viral picture of wicketkeeper suggested an injury scare for player. During T20 World Cup warm-up fixture between India and Australia Pant was spotted with heavy strapping and an ice pack on his right knee.

Rishabh Pant has scored runs at an aver of 26.00 in 2022

However, re is official confirmation about injury till w and Pant is expected to take field against New Zealand. A look at T20I stats of Rishabh highlights player’s recent struggles with his bat. In last 10 T20I games that he has featured in, Pant scored highest kck of 44 runs against West Indies in August. He has scored 38 T20I runs in 21 games this year at an aver of 26.00 and 136.84.

Team India’s squ for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022

India’s Predicted XI vs New Zealand: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik/Rishabh Pant, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Mohamm Shami

India’s full squ: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yav, Deepak Hooda, Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed ShamiICC